Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 46 viewsNotes
Transcript
Series Recap:
Ephesus - The Forgotten Love Church
Smyrna - The Persecuted Church
Pergamum - The Compromised Church
Thyatira - The Corrupt Church
Sardis - The Dead Church
Philadelphia - The Faithful Church
These seven churches are seven golden lampstands and they are given seven stars or angels to keep watch.
Context for Laodicea:
Named after the wife of Antiochus II (he later divorced her).
Located 46mi south of Philadelphia.
At the juncture of 2 major trade routes in Asia Minor: The north-south road connected Pergamum to the Mediterranean Sea; the east-west road connected Ephesus to the heart of Asia Minor.
Location, a thriving black wool industry, a banking industry and a medical school famous for its eye salve, all contributed into making the citizens of Laodicea a lot of wealth.
The one thing they lacked was a good water supply.
Now, as we read the letter to the church in Laodicea, we will see Christ referencing these things.
Let us read the passage. Turn to Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
Pray.
Theologian & author John Stott wrote in response to this last letter:
“Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have a lukewarm bath of religion.” ~John R.W. Stott
A comfortable, respectable, skin-deep Christianity, is still a major struggle for the church today.
The church in laodicea was successful and happy with achieving the “Laodicean Dream,” but their souls were in serious danger.
Jesus introduces Himself to this church as the “Amen, the true witness and the one who holds all things together.” What a statement!!
It brings to mind...
2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Colossians 1:17
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
These attributes of Christ are what the Laodiceans have forgotten.
So Jesus assesses them...
Lukewarm
Spiritually poor
Spiritually naked & blind
Nothing good to say about this church.
They were in this condition because...
They shifted their confidence away from Christ to trusting other things.
Their religious activity made them self-righteous.
Their self-righteousness made them spiritually blind to the gospel.
2 Timothy 3:5
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
What’s challenging your faithfulness to Christ right now?